Game apparatus.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES GRUNDY, PATERSON, NEW ,'I'IlLlitSEY.

GAME APPARATUS.

i Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 12, 1908. Serial No. 467,215.

. of the checker-board type, and the object in view is to embody withinsuch a game apparatus a system by which three men or playing pieces canbe arranged in a row ina central space on the board or field to simulatethe well-known game of-tit-tat-too, and

.. also to confine the player to certain limits in order that theteresting.

The drawing shows a plan view of the boardA illustrating the arrangementof the playing field, and embodying the ,features of the invention.

The board is preferablysquare, and has a checkered surface similar to achecker-board. The squares are diagonally disposed, and arranged ingroups, each of which contains a like number of squares, nine beingshown in the present instance. One of such groups is located at eachcorner of the board, making four corner groups; another group isintermediate of the corner groups, making four intermediate groups, andone oup is located at the center ofl the boarT The corner groups areindicated by the reference letters A, B, C, and D, respectively, and thesquares composing said groups are preferably colored alike.V The group Ais diagonally opposite the group B, and the group C is diagonallyopposite the group D. The intermediate groups are indicated by thereference letters E, F, G and H, respectively, the squares composingsaid groups being also colored alike, but having a color different fromtlfat of the squares composing the corner groups. The group E isdirectly opposite the group F, and the group G is directly opposite thegroup H. The center group is designated by the reference letter I, andthe squares composing the same are also colored alike, but diHerent fromthe squares of the corner and intermediate groups.

By the hereindescribed arran ement, the board is divided into a series ogroups or fields, each of which is composed of a like number of squares.The center field is the goal to which the game pieces or men are to bemoved, and on which they are to be argame may be made more inranged in acertain described.

The squares of the center group I have intersecting parallel lines I atright angles to each other, which gives them a more lolistinctiveappearance. The board also lcontains lines which define the limitswithin which the respective players are permittedl to move their piecesin order to reach the goal. These lines extend in parallel pairs fromeach side edge of the board up to the,

goal, and said lines intersect the squares of the intermediate fieldswhich are next to the corner fields. Thus there is a line A runningthrough the squares of the field H which are next to the field A, and aline A runs through the squares of the field which are next to saidfield A. The eld B is bounded inta like manner by lines B and B", fieldC by lines C and C, and field D by lines D and D.

The game can be played by two, three or four players. IVhen two are toplay, the playing should be done from two diagonally opposite corners.To win the game, a player must arrange three of his pieces in a row inthe field I. The player first doing so wins the game. Each player hasnine pieces, one players pieces covering the nine squares constitutingone of the corner fields, and his opponent nine squares constituting thediagonally opposite corner field. Moving is done the same as in theordinary game of checkers; for instance, a piece on the square 1 can bemoved to 2 orto 3; the next move, if it has been moved to 3, in theprevious move, is to 4 or 5, etc. A piece on G'can be moved to 7, 8, 9,l0, 11 and then to 12; or it could have been played from 6 to 7, 13, 14and then to l5. The pieces of the field A cannot move beyond thesquares4 crossed by the lines C and D. The pieces of the field B cannotmove beyond the squares crossed by the lines C and D. The pieces of thefield C cannot movebeyond the squares crossed by the lines A and B', andthe pieces of the field D cannot be moved beyond the squares crossed bythe lines A -and la. The pieces are moved toward the center square Iwhich, as already stated, is the goal. But, after a piece has beenV onany of the squares of the goal, the player reverses his piece, which, aslong as it remains on the board, shows its power. It has power the sameas a king in Patented Oct. 5, 1909.4

order to be presently i checkers to move anywhere on the board,

forwardly or rearwardly, but only one square at a time. Of course, itmust be understood that a piece cannot move on any but an unoccupiedsquare. Jumpin is done as in the game of checkers. If a p ayer has apiece on 16, one on 17, and one on 11, and his opponent has a piece on18, the piece cannot be moved from 11 to 12, andl that player claim thegame, for the piece on 18 would be able to jump to 19 and remove fromthe board the piece on 12. But if the player, having pieces on 16, 17and 11, had a plece on 19, he could then move from ll to 12, and be freefrom being jumped and taken. If, on the other han his opponent was awareof what he ywas going to do, he could, provided he had a piece on som'enear square, say two squares away, move it up to the square next to 16.or 17, and' lthen he would have to jump to throw him some distance fromthe goal. A ieee cannot be moved from 11 to 12 `even 1f the player sodoing had a piece on 19, 17 and 16, provided his opponent had previouslymoved a piece up to 16 or 17. It is compulsory to jump. After a playerhas three pieces in a row, his opponent cannot then move a piece next tohim and compel him to jump, for the .reason that the game is alreadyended. The first player having a piece on each of the following squares,free from being jumped, wins the game: 12, 17 and 16; 19, 20 and 21; 15,22 and 23; 12, 19 and 15; 17, 2() and 22;

' 16, 21 and 23; 12, 20 and 23; or 16, 20 and 15. In playing a threeorfour handed game,

play the other two or three as though they@ were just ,one playeragainst you, that is, jump one or allplayers pieces when you have anopportunity. Each player has his turn. Play from right to left. Partnershave diagonally opposite corners, and when three are arranged in a row,the game is ended, even though one player has only two, his partner theother one, 'together constitutingthe complete row. For instance, oneplayer has apiece on 16, and one on 20, and his partner has a pieceon15, the game would be won. It is not permissible to.A jump part-V nerspieces. Y

The board is not confined to any particular mode of application orsupport, and it may be constructed or arranged to break or fold in themiddle after the manner of an ordinary checker-board to reduce itsextent and render it convenient for storage when not in use. The size ofthe squares, the coloring, and general ornamentation are all featureswhich may be varied at will in accordance with the choice and selectionof the manufacturer, or the expensive' nature of the artilele produced.In practice the .various squares will not be numbered or lettered as inthe drawings, suehlettering or numbering being resorted to merely toassist in understanding th'e moves and rules of the game.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. A' ga'nie board having a checkered surface angular K`in outline, thesquares thereof being dlagonally disposed, and arranged in groupscontaining a like number of squares, said groups comprising cornergroups, intermediate groups, and a center group, the center group beingthe goal.

2. A game board having a checkered surface angular in outline, thesquares thereof being diagonally disposed, andarranged in groupscontaining a like number of squares, said groups comprising cornergroups,vinter mediate groups,q and a center group, the center groupbeing the goal, and indicating lines on the board defining the limitswithin which the respective players may operate.

3. A game board having a checkered surface angular in outline, thesquares thereof being diagonally disposed and arranged in groupscontaining a like number of squares, said groups comprising cornergroups, intermediate groups, and a center group, the center group beingthe goal, and distinctive marks on the squares of the center group.

In testilnony that I claim the foregomg as my own, I have hereto aiiixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

' JAMES GRUNDY. Witnesses:

CLARENCE L. CUEMAN,

Lus'upu A. JoHNs'roN.

